Looking Ahead
New timeslot folks! I’m now your Tuesday Afternoon guy. No idea what time this is supposed to be posted, but in the US it’s about 1pm now, so hopefully I’m not late.
The bad news is I’ve only got one day off from work this week, so this week’s column will be kept short and to the point.
News… in the Present!
The Diva Search will make it’s ‘anticipated’ return this Summer.
Bugger. What ever happened to that long-legged beauty from the last one called Elizabeth or something like that? She was hot…
Harry Smith to debut soon on RAW.
Yey, new blood!
WWE has filed for two new trademarks, they are: “The Great Khali” and “Prince of Perversion”.
“Prince of Perversion”… Shannon Moore left TNA for this? The only good thing they will get from this is if they team him up with Goldust and Snitsky on Raw.
The Nearest WWE PPV
Backlash (RAW)
4/30/2006
Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
The Card So Far
WWE Title Match
John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Edge
WWE IC Title vs. Money in the Bank Match
Shelton Benjamin vs. Rob Van Dam
WWE Women’s Title Match
Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus
Shane & Vince McMahon vs. Shawn Michaels & “God”
Carlito vs. Chris Masters
Kane vs. Big Show
Rumors, Thoughts, Etc…
Well, it looks like I was right about the RVD-Shelton match, although I don’t think having both the IC title and MITB title shot on the line is a good idea. Why would RVD give a shit if he had the IC title when he’s got a confirmed shot at the World Title?
***** SMACKDOWN SPOILER BELOW *****
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I’m gonna throw something out there. With RVD presumably winning the match at Backlash, and if you’ve read the SmackDown spoilers, you’ll know JBL, who is the current US Champ, has challenged Mysterio for the World title, do you think we might be seeing the end of the brand-split and the merging of the IC-WWE and US-World Heavyweight titles?
If not, then what’s going on? Are they that short on talent that they don’t have anybody else that would benefit from holding both the secondary titles?
JBL makes a fine US champ, and shouldn’t be challenging for the World title. Shelton hasn’t done anything worth noting with the IC title this time around. How about putting it on Hass? I was extremely impressed with a) his actions inside the ring, and b) the new beard he’s sporting. MUCH better than that horrible Goatee thing he had going on when he was teaming with Rico.
Anyway.. what do you think? Is it just a coincidence that the 1st and 2nd titles on both shows have a chance to be merged? Drop me a line.
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***** SMACKDOWN SPOILER FINISHED *****
Predictions and the like…
WWE Title Match
John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Edge
I highly doubt Cena will loose the strap to either man at this PPV. It makes no sense. Why waste another title switch at a minor PPV when you could switch it with more impact at a major PPV in a couple of month’s time?
Winner: John Cena
WWE IC Title vs. Money in the Bank Match
Shelton Benjamin vs. Rob Van Dam
I hate the concept of this match, as I see no reason why RVD should put his MITB shot up against the IC title. It’s just not logical. Still, I suppose by giving RVD the IC title, it will take some focus off the MITB concept for a few months until the ECW PPV comes around.
Winner: RVD
WWE Women’s Title Match
Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus
This feud is amazing. It’s one of the few things on Raw last night that had me captivated, and I have the attention span of a 9 year old who’s downed 4 cups of espresso. So they must be doing something right. Bravo!
Should they prolong this feud further, or nip it in the bud now before it starts to get boring? I say let them have a few more months and end it at the next Major PPV with Trish getting the Title back.
Winner: Mickie James
Shane & Vince McMahon vs. Shawn Michaels & “God”
I’m not fussed about this at all. It bores me now, and should have rightfully ended at WrestleMania. But, alas, Vince keeps insisting on dragging this crap out. I can’t see it ending at Backlash either, unless Vince & Shane win by interference from Umaga. Then we’ll have the pleasure of a HBK-Umaga feud. Won’t that be lovely.
Winner: The McMahons.
Carlito vs. Chris Masters
I loved the Carlito-Striker segment on Raw. This could lead to a feud later on, when Masters hopefully gets drafted off my TV onto SmackDown.
As for the present feud, Carlito needs the win if he wants to keep gaining momentum and the fans support. Having Masters win might just stop that dead in it’s tracks.
Winner: Carlito
Kane vs. Big Show
I can’t take this seriously thanks to two things… one is that Kane is now hearing voices in his head that miraculously we can also hear.
The other is the odd sight of Big Show in tracksuit bottoms and his wrestling singlet.
Winner: Kane
Other Malarkey…
I THINK I know where this whole Chavo quitting stories going.
When Gregory Helms comes back in a month or so from his nose surgery, he’ll issue an open challenge to anybody for a shot at his Cruiserweight title.
Then… lo and behold, Chavo will make a shocking appearance and promptly beat Helms by cheating.
He lied about quitting, he cheated so he could sign with SmackDown, and he stole a win (and the title) from Helms.
That’s the only idea I can fathom from this angle. Do you have any idea? Email me.
Draft Lottery
Every week until whenever they do the draft, I’ll be bringing you a recommendation for somebody to be moved.
This week.. it’s Rob Conway
The token lower-midcard guy who gets lost in the shuffle.
The Aura is Fading…
That’s all she wrote for this week. See you again next Tuesday!
Toodle-oo!
The ‘Sponsored Sound’ for this week is: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Dani California
